Prototypes and policy models suitable for adaptation to specific states and policy issues are presented. Examples of adapted models are also provided: the systems model adapted to Pennsylvania and the policy model adapted to the issue of state support for independent institutions in Pennsylvania. (Author/LB)

The feasibility of an educational voucher plan proposed by the Pennsylvania legislature is assessed in this paper. Reasons against passing House Bill 1133 and Senate Bill 992 include the large initial cost; lack of evidence that the plan would expand choice; the fact that market forces increase inequities; the need to distinguish choice from…

Examines demographic and economic trends of rural areas nationally, in the Northeast, and in Pennsylvania, and discusses the impact of these trends on rural library planning and services. Four options for developing rural library policy and implementing quality library services are outlined. (55 references) (CLB)

Discussion of the relationship between public library directors and the board of trustees highlights the library trustee and director survey that was conducted in Pennsylvania in 1994 to identify potential areas of conflict. Topics include the effect of library size, library planning, policy development, purchasing decisions, personnel issues, and…

This paper describes the elements of strategic planning and applies them to educational reform and improvement. The paper also describes how a planning model, Strategic Planning for Educational Reform and Improvement (SPERI), was used by Rural Assistance Councils (RACs) in Pennsylvania and Delaware, with technical assistance from Research for…

Designed to serve as a guide to systematic and orderly preservation of Pennsylvania's agricultural lands, this report by the Governor's Committee presents recommendations based upon comprehensive research; facts gathered by seven subcommittees; and evaluation of facts and opinions presented in 258 statements at 12 statewide hearings attended by…

A state educational indicator system being developed by the Pennsylvania Educational Policy Studies (PEPS) project at the University of Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) is described. The extensive database that has been established as part of the PEPS project includes thousands of variables that are descriptive of the 500 Pennsylvania school districts.…

The relationship between higher education and economic development is discussed to help Pennsylvania state officials in policy development. In addition to listing labor force development efforts of Carnegie Mellon University, Community College of Allegheny County, and University of Pittsburgh, Massachusetts' economic strategies are summarized. Six…

The diminishing role of the federal government in rural development has created an opportunity for new initiatives in this area. One potentially useful response is the creation of a state-rural policy center. Such centers can combine the efforts of land grant institutions, extension services, and state universities in the development and…

A commission charged with examining the process of Pennsylvania school board policy making as it relates to the roles of the board and the superintendent expresses a number of concerns and makes recommendations. Broad areas identified as needing continuous attention by boards and superintendents are the appraisal of goals and objectives, inservice…

This monograph examines benefits, challenges, and methods of expanding access to adult literacy with online distance education (ODE). The following are among the topics discussed: (1) reasons for considering ODE (new technologies and delivery systems in education; ODE in higher education, business training, and adult basic education; state-level…

Procedures for establishing the cutoff scores for the occupational competency exams administered to individuals graduating from Pennsylvania vocational teacher education programs were reviewed. A total of 595 National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) Exams administered in 43 occupations or trades at three colleges between the…

Project Educational Quality in Adult Literacy (EQuAL) was initiated to improve the quality of adult basic and literacy education (ABLE) services provided to adult learners in Pennsylvania. Project EQuAL's objectives were as follows: (1) set performance standards to facilitate delivery of quality ABLE programs to adult learners; (2) institute a…

These proceedings include 13 "perspectives from the field" and 9 selected papers (with abstracts) from a national conference on recommended policies and practices for investing in youth. The 13 perspectives papers are as follows: "Saving the Next Generation" (Berlin); "Effective Strategies for Investing in Youth"…

Early state and local progress toward implementation of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) was reviewed. Data were collected through visits to selected sites in Florida, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Vermont and a 90-item Workforce System Information and Evaluation (WSIE) data collection form. The following aspects of WIA…